West Ham fans must take part of the blame for wantaway star Dimitri Payet

“WE'VE got Payet, Dimitri Payet! I just don’t think you understand,” the West Ham fans used to love to sing.

Not for much longer you haven’t. And, by the way, I reckon you were the ones who failed to understand – that Dimitri Payet was always going to be just passing through with the aim of taking your beloved club for as much as he could get.

The evidence was there before your eyes when he arrived – he had refused to play at a previous club in the hope of forcing a move he fancied.

He was merely here for the Premier League pay packet and the chances of becoming an international star on the back of that exposure.

Sure, I get that he has acted selfishly and unprofessionally. I understand why you all feel betrayed by the actions of a man whose talents had given you so much pleasure last season. Who had made you feel that your beloved club was going places, could compete with the big boys and could attract the best players from across the globe.

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Dimitri Payet wants to leave West Ham

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West Ham fans are partly to blame for not understanding Payet wouldn't stay for long

But that’s the problem with attracting the best players from other nations; they’re not so keen on relegation battles or mid-table mediocrity. And that’s what you get if your summer spending spree involves bringing in almost a whole team of nowhere near as good enough.

Let’s face it, Payet more or less downed tools months ago. Remember that time he gave the ball away at Manchester United? When he just stood there and let the opponent run past him? That was an enormous warning sign but how many Hammers fans pretended not to see it?

The truth is West Ham were always setting themselves up for a fall. When they handed a 28-year-old a five-year contract worth £125,000. When the fans elevated him to Messiah status.

And why did this happen? Because the Hammers wanted to believe they could mix it with the big boys. Even though every single one of the really big clubs had looked at Payet and decided ‘no thanks’.

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Dimitri Payet reportedly wants to return to Marseille

Dimitri Payet's next club odds

Thu, January 12, 2017

Click through the gallery for the latest odds on Dimitri Payet’s club after the January transfer window according to Oddschecker

Click through the gallery for the latest odds on Dimitri Payet’s club after the January transfer window according to Oddschecker

Why did the fans kid themselves that a footballer in 2017 would feel the same loyalty they do to their beloved club?

Actually, there is one at West Ham who does just that. Yet is Mark Noble, the local lad closing in on 400 games for the club he supported all his live, revered in the same way as Billy Bonds and Trevor Brooking?

No, simply because he looks ordinary compared to the likes of Dimitri Payet. You can’t have it both ways Hammers fans.